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Categories: Dive Bars, American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: MidtownMon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
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While in the neighborhood for a movie and after watching the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives spot on the bar, I stopped in to the Highlander to grab a bite. I heard good things about the jerk chili and corn fritters, so I went for a bowl of that. It was pretty good and plenty spicy, but that's not why I think this place deserves five stars.
Growing up, my parents use to love eating brussels sprouts, and so many of my childhood memories are scarred by the putrid, rank, smell that infiltrated our kitchen as the tiny relatives to cabbage were overcooked. For 22 years, I was content to dismiss the vegetable as something on the list of things I would never try, but my attempts to widen my culinary palette forced me to venture into the unknown and try to find some good in these little beasts. Former attempts were unsuccessful at best, until I came to Highlander one fateful night and ordered the sauteed brussels sprouts. To say the experience was mind-blowing would be putting it lightly - the delicious little morsels opened my mind to just how good this vegetable could be, and since then I'm a dedicated follower to just how much these little flavor bombs are capable of.
So yeah, Highlander is a bar that has some killer eats and can break down reservations you might have formerly had about food. And then you can pound a few and watch a movie.
Looking for a place to eat late night after a movie 12:30am. This was not on our list but we went to Fox Sports Bar, Apre Diem all stopped serving food. Apre recommended Highlander! I'm glad they did!
Great Service, Great Drinks! The French Dip with the Tator Tots were great! Best Dip I've had in the city so far! Prices are reasonable!
One thing I hated was the smoking in the BAR! Man was it bad! Either ban it! or get a better filtration system!
I've got to say that I've been pretty impressed with the Highlander's food, namely the vegetarian options. I've had both the veggie burger and a veggie sandwich that were both absolutely delicious and actually left me craving them the next day (and yes, I am typically a meatitarian).
Stick to the patio so your food doesn't get tainted with smoke, round up a big crew to take over a picnic table, order a couple of pitchers, and enjoy!
My first experience at the Highlander was an interesting one. There was a tattoo/erotic art show… Read more »
The best part about the Highlander is their consistency and price. The food is good, not great, but it is consistently good bar food. And also, the bar food has a selective menu with some very good dinner entrees too. And you can't be the reasonable prices. Their reasonable prices also extend into their beer pricing. I know PBR is a $2 or $2.50 for a pint and the Miller and Bud were either $3 or $3.50. That's good pricing in my book for Intown Atlanta. The staff is very friendly. I have been quite a few times and they have never let me down.
jalapeño corn fritters = crispy brown outside + soft sweet & spicy inside + tangy remoulade dipping sauce
fish and chips = intimidatingly ginormous fried fillet of haddock + super crispy outside + flaky inside + unappetizing plating
beef stroganoff = comforting + well seasoned + where are the mushrooms?!
i've been to the highlander twice now. the first time, we waited for about 15 minutes at a table on the patio to get anyone to even bring us menus. i had to get up twice and approach servers at the POS because were hungry and being ignored at a place that exists to feed people. it was a busy patio, and from my observations 2 servers were ineffectively scrambling to serve about 12 tables.
the second time was a much better experience. our server was sweet and attentive; however, the food left something to be desired. even though i live within walking distance, i don't think i'll be back anytime soon. the food is affordable and pretty good, but not worth the risk of sub-par service.
Being here is like going home after a long visit away. It's comfortable, familiar and consistently what you expect. I love this place. Probably the first time I stopped by The Highlander was about 6 years ago. It hasn't changed much since.
In recent years a friend and I have been known to work remotely from this very spot. After all isn't everyone more productive while consuming beer? Heck yeah they are.
But it's really not just about drinking beer. The food at The Highlander is shockingly good. Stop by on Tuesdays and have all you can eat crab legs or better yet stop by any time and have some of the best mussels in all of Atlanta. I've had mussels in many a restaurant, but none on par with the yumminess that follows ordering them here. I really haven't been able to bring myself to order much of anything else.
They have great outdoor seating when the weather is nice. I only wish I lived with in walking distance. If you haven't been to The Highlander you're missing out.
If I'm spending an afternoon at Piedmont Park and suddenly find myself in need of a plate and a pint, inevitably I will skip Park Tavern and walk the extra half a block over to the Highlander. The thing I like about the Highlander is even though I don't go there nearly enough to qualify as a "regular", they still treat me like I am. As soon as I sit down, someone is greeting me like we're old college roommates, and asking me what I want to drink. Nobody rolls their eyes when you ask for a beer list, and nobody yells at you if your group moves tables together, or practically takes over the whole patio. Not to mention the food is pretty freakin' tasty and still fairly priced, considering this is Midtown we're talking about and Apres Diem is right next door. Whether it's a full belly you're after, or just snacks to soak up your beer, you won't be disappointed.
3.5
I'll admit, I was initially skeptical that The Highlander's food would be good enough to justify eating a meal at the place (versus snacks with booze) . I mean, some of my friends claimed it was good, but I knew they were coming here mostly for the booze. Sure, there are other obvious examples of bars where people might also go with the primary intention of eating, like The Vortex or Manuel's Tavern, but the Highlander is a good bit grittier than those places. I always sit outside since it's so smoky inside, but the picnic tables outside aren't bad.
After coming here a few times, I was sold -- this place is A-OK by me. They have typical bar fare plus a few surprises (Beef Stroganoff?) and they are quite flexible with your choice of side dishes -- also, when a place serves tots, that's always a plus. Anyway, in my experience, the food is usually pretty good; the service is about what you'd expect from a bar (i.e. not particularly attendant, but people tend to hang out for a while anyway). I'm not sure I'd come here much out of my own volition since I'm not a big bar person, but if people want to go, no one has to drag me.
The huge plus is that they are open so late; I could see myself coming here after other places have closed. You can come here and get pretty respectable food at 2am, rather than settle for the usual late-night suspects.
It was fine; it did the trick.
Went in before seeing Food Inc. last night and grabbed a cider (draft) with the special of meatloaf and lima beans avec onions and mashed potatoes (potatoes tasted like the kind that come in a box).
For my taste, no salt, but that is relatively easily remediated.
Had WIFI so I could work whilst I ate.
Waitress was nice and didn't make life difficult for me.
I think it's true what they say about The Highlander, you can get a contact-drunk from just walking in this place. Probably about the best place you can go to satisfy a group needing different things from a bar. You've got the nice and attentive but smart ass and tattoo laden staff, an awesome menu (try the loaded potato skins but ask them to make it tots instead, YUM!), pool tables, air hockey, golden tee, that bowling game and those wonderful bar-top video machines. Love it here.
Airhockey table is great here. I like to play few competitive rounds while enjoying a drink.
Have not tried the food. Nice pool tables as well as other games. 21 and up only posted on the door.
The Highlander appears to be a place I should like but after three visits I do not.
Where to start:
The food: Can I have my burger not cooked until it is a dried out piece of leather? And maybe with the side I actually ordered? Apparently not.
The service: spotty at best, rude sometimes and often ignored. Strangely this from the female staff. The male staff does a good job. Hmmm.
The clientele: hipster wannabees with attitudes. Gee, sorry if I am a little too old and clean cut for your cool meter. I am not too old but I am for that shit.
Usually I would start a review mentioning the smoke, and as bad as the smoke is, it has no bearing on my review.
I will be back as friends like this place so I will update as warranted.
I remember when Guy Fieri came here for his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show. I really wanted to go, but I could not find anyone to go with me. They were filming in the middle of the day and no one wanted to take time off work to be a part of the production. Typically, I am not shy about going to a bar or restaurant by myself, but for some reason I was uncomfortable about doing this alone. It is a decision I regret to this day.
Wow, that sounded so dramatic! Anyway, I don't know why this place is considered a Dive. I mean, other than the clean, but shoddy bathrooms and the thick layer of smoke it seems like a typical pub. After all, how divey can it be when it is located in a well preserved strip mall.
I especially enjoy the artwork that is hanging all over the bar. I have a low attention span, so when the conversations begins to wane I can entertain myself by analyzing the not so typical artwork.
The artwork is a reflection of the people that work and gather here. Some people have gone on and on about the tattoos, piercings, funky style, etc. Yet for me, this crowd makes me feel at ease, reminding me of my hometown Portland, Oregon. Kind of strange for such a generic, tattoo-less girl, I guess.
As for service, you may or may not get a perky response, but you will never find yourself with an empty glass. I guess you can say it is part of the Highlander charm.
There is a full bar, but I usually get the Strongbow and I have yet to try the food. Everyone seems to be pleased with it. Perhaps, I'll heed Guy Fieri's word and try the Jerk Chili next time I am here.
After all, I hear it is off the hook!
I've been here a ton of times and don't find much to recommend it. The food is only okay, though I have friends that swear by the tater tots. The art is pretty interesting but I agree with some of the other reviewers that the vibe is trying a little too hard to be Little Five or East Atl.
On to the Pinball - as of 2/1/09. They seemed at one point to rotate fairly frequently, though they have been stuck on Shrek and Pirates on the Caribbean for a while. PotC is starting to show a little age in some of the mechanics but both are solid efforts from Stern. Shrek is a little lame in that it is exactly the same as Family Guy, just with different characters.
Shrek - http://www.ipdb.org/se...
Pirates of the C. - http://www.ipdb.org/se...
I dined at The Highlander for the second time over the weekend and enjoyed it just about as much as I did the first time. But I discovered that--and this may seem like an easy win--they have the best tater tots I've ever had! Just the right saltiness, crispiness, and fatty carbness that I look for in a processed potato side item. The rest of the food, however, was decent. Nothing to freak out about.
What I really enjoy about this bar is the vibe... the environment really strikes me as one that would support the goals and objectives of a marathon barhop. Games, good tunes on the juke, and cheap beer make this place a winner.
The air hockey paddles make me sad. And I don't like the newly erected plexiglass wall that stands between me and my opponent.
But otherwise, The Highlander is holding it down. The food is edible and dare I say, in some instances, downright tasty. I find the service to be "interesting." I seem to have better luck with the boy servers and bartenders. But that seems to be par for the course since I moved to Atlanta. Maybe I just need to become a regular or something? Either way, I'll come in periodically for some Special Olympics air hockey, burgers, and drinks. It's a solid hangout [except for the pesky smoke thing].
How I ended up in the Highlander by Scott K....
One day I left Seattle to live with my brother in Atlanta for a year. The plane landed, we hugged, we drove straight to the Highlander, and I felt like I was back in Seattle again!
The End.
OK, so I might have a little more to say about this great bar! First and foremost... um... yeah... 420, yum.
Second, the BLT was a total trip!
Flavored mayo? Smoked extra meaty bacon from magical Southern pigs? Who knows why it was so good? I suspect it had something to do with the fact that it seemed to be fried in butter! Dangerously delicious whatever they did to it! Though I do fear that crackling sound I heard while eating it, may have been my arteries?
I love the art, the staff, and the food, and that said... I could live without the smoking (Seattle has a ban), but as my brother put it... "The South is where cigarettes were born, and it'll be the last place they'll die." So I guess I'm just going to have to get over it.
I'm withholding my last star until I visit at least 20 or 30 more times!
I like to be thorough with my reviews, what can I say?
This has been Drinkee Hole Number One for over a decade for me. Ihate the smoke, but love the people. I've been to more birthdays here than anywhere else in the charted universe. I have more stories from and about here than St. Peter has papercuts. They know what I want and they know how to get it.
The food is good. It's pretty straightforward but good quality barfood, and they actually experiment with diffferent dishes, including surprisingly good gumbos and seafood as specials. If they have the chicken pot pie, I recommend it!
Now as to service, yeah they're colorful, but have always been straight with me. They used to be even more brusque with whiny people, so I guess that's better in some ways...but to be quite honest, I've never seen any staff be rude to anyone who wasn't a jerk to begin with. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened since I first ordered a cider there in 1998, but I trust them over you.
Good patio, good drinks and great people.
Buckhead is ~that~ way, dink.
I'm sorry, but i don't think this place is god like everyone else in atlanta seems to think. i don't mind the atmosphere, the diveness about it, the smoke, the games etc. but i just don't think the food is all that great. i've had a bunch of burgers from there, and they taste as if they were frozen bubba burgs. and the servers, they think they are so much cooler than everyone who comes in. one time, now granted there were 5 people who wanted to split up the tab with cards, our server (the older blonde gal) tried to argue with us about splitting up the tab so i just bought the whole thing to keep her from freaking out. i used to be a server, HOW HARD IS IT TO SPLIT UP CHECKS ON COMPUTERS!!!??? oh wait, not at all.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of the Highlander yet!
We generally end up here when we can't decide what else to have. Or it's too late. We tried to go here on a Monday around 11pm and they were closed! So I think the hours are wrong on yelp. Just sayin.
Anyway, the pasta-mozzarella sticks are awesome. I love the jalapeno-corn fritters. I usually have soup when I'm here and they are always pretty tasty!
Smoke sucks, and if it's warm I'll sit outside, but if it's cold, I have to tolerate bleaching my entire self when I get home to get the stank off me.
I have been here a few times and have tried many of their specials along with coming here for the all you can eat crab legs night.
I remember a long time ago they had an air hockey table that was pretty sweet when i visited years ago. I should go back and check if this is still here.
I recommend the chili here, its made with an insane recipe that was actually featured on TV and its pretty good.
They also feature alot of jagermeister specials so if that's your drink, go get drunk here.
They cleaned the front bar area up quite a bit since my last visit. The back area is still a hole in the wall. Decent nachos, had better, but also had worse. Beer selection is pretty good. Still a dive bar with a lot of inked up wait staff. Not a must see, but if you like dive bars its probably worth checking out at least once. Not sure how this bar came to be. There are no other places like it in this location. Kinda seems outta place.
To be honest I don't recall my first trip to the Highlander almost 8 years ago.
I was carded at the door by a large, balding gentleman that had the look of a Hell's Angel.
I had a pitcher of Guiness.
I ordered the Kari Kari.
I butt dialed at least twice.
Eight years later I still find myself narrowing down the entirety of my "let's go out and have a relaxing evening" food options in northern Georgia to The Highlander and MAYBE 2 other places.
This is a dive where I feel comfortable without knowing a soul.
This is a bar where I can get a good, cheap drink.
This is a restaurant where I can get something tasty, quickly.
Like to smoke? Bully for you. I don't indulge but I appreciate the atmosphere (/cough - lack of children).
The drunken stripper from two booths down SWEARS that this is the last time she wants a tater-tot (and can she have yet another one for her friend?), the non-Jagermeister decor features old PIN-UPS skateboards and a varied mix of work from local artists, and the bartenders drink more in an hour than I do in a night.
I don't think I've ever eaten here and not gotten the Kari Kari. Crab Angles, Crab Rangoon, Crab Angels, whatever. This sumptuous 7-piece offering is 'tasty-cakes' in my book.
I've enjoyed their veggie burger before. I've even raved about it. On separate occasions I've also despaired the next day over the fact that I couldn't stop thinking about how bad it sucked the night before. So it goes.
Ordering something Fried? These guys are great. Once, and only once, I had some stuffed Jalapeno's that were overcooked. They came out at the same time as several other fried Apps and the rest of them were absolutely perfect. When I look back over the years at their consistency it adds up to a great track record. Frying, while simple, is essential in meeting the needs of 'the Wife.'
Speaking of 'the Wife,' she has often enjoyed several 'Specials of the Day' in the fish department and has yet to say anything negative save in regards to the leftovers on the way home - "Don't you dare throw my fish at that car!" Did I mention she doesn't like fish?
Raised in Miami, I'm a big fan of a traditional Cuban. The Highlander does not make a traditional Cuban Sandwich (at least not like I've ever eaten in Miami or Tampa). That said, I've found it to vary in the spice factor from 'Pretty Tasty' to 'Almost Obnoxious, but Still Enjoyable to the Last Bite.' Ever since Kool Korner shut down this is where I satisfy my urges for pork on a bun with swiss et al. Oh sure, other people will preach the virtues of other places around town, but this is how my palate gets down.
Live music events seem to abound and there are weekly highlights like the AUCE Crab Legs under $20 on Tuesday, Trivia on Sundays and Drunk Bingo on Monday's around 8ish.
I confess I've not thoroughly explored all the menu options, but just the same I recommend The Highlander to everyone. I'm never disappointed, and I've never had a bad evening of it. Dress up. Dress down. Keep to yourself. Make new friends. The Highlander accepts all comers so long as your money is good.
It's like a punk version of Cheers.
Everyone there is awesome -- every time I go there, I end up in a conversation with random people. In fact, I met one of my best friends in Atlanta just that way.
Their food is also really good. Not bar food at all. And if you just need something cheap to fill up on, the tater tots are a great bang for your buck, and surprisingly tasty. Though sometimes they end up overcooked and crunchier than I prefer.
I hated this place. I have friends that rave about their food, but I just can't enjoy eating in a place that seems so smokey and dirty. Plus, the bartender was unfriendly.
So I was really excited to look on the menu and see a bratwurst patty melt, since it combines two of my favorite foods and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. I love just about everything i've had to eat here, the pastarella sticks are really really good, so are the little jalapeno hush puppies.
This is as dive bar as dive bars get and I usually prefer to sit outside because the inside gets really smokey, but the staff is always cool and they keep the beers a'comin.
If you don't mind the usually crappy parking situation, check out The Highlander.
Ok, so on the inside, you'll definitely have a "clutch the pearls" moment- however,the wait staff, the GOOD burgers, and well priced libations will definitely change your mind.
I tried the Black and Blue Burger, with the tots, and I was ready to personally kiss the self!
This place is now high on my list on the place to go for burgers!
*******update *************
okay - I've only been in just over 24 hours and I have hit this place up twice. They ran out of the oxtail stew and I am kicking myself for not ordering a second bowl yesterday. Damn social niceties, I didn't want to appear greedy, commit a sin and be glutenous. Evangelicals will never be able to recruit after this mishap. They sold out. The chef makes it when he wants to. I am going to do my best to get it made Sunday before I have to fly out. Today, I am leaving for Auburn and won't be back until then. Urgh. I think - I think this is my dream bar. It has almost everything I look for in CA bars, good food, alcohol and wi-fi. Yesterday, I semi-fell in love with some boy at another table he was so pretty. I still can't take the smoking. I tried to sit outside, but now have the mosquito welt marks to show for it. Those nasty mofo's love me.
I opted for the stroganoff - it's okay. The beef is a little tough, but it appears to be homemade. Anyway, the meat could never be as disintegrate off the bone tender as the oxtail stew yesterday.
They kill the smoking and I am going to move here, right after hong kong. Awww - who am I kidding, I might have to move here just for the thick white bois - OMG. Corn-fed. blue eyes and dark hair. Damn. It must be the water, must be the water. (sorry another hottie walked in totally stacked in the back)
I am also a little jealous of the Asian guy with this beautiful hair. It is like in the middle of his back and the last half is all perfectly wavy. urgh, men don't need hair like that. Unless they do drag, then I understand.
aww - the chef just came by to check on the meal. I explained to him my dilemma, he said he'd hold some for me on Sunday. If that happens, this officially becomes my favorite bar despite the smoking.
BTW - the blonde female bartender can't make a mixed drink for shit. I just drank the weakest long island in my life. It is a drink that is 90 percent alcohol, how can you fuck up on that? At first, I thought it was skillful mix and very smooth, yeah no such luck. I ordered a Texas margarita after that - okay well after the jager shot, and asked mister hottie Asian to make it, but it had already been made, so he bumped it up with a shot. He keeps calling me babe, so maybe I am more buzzed than I would like to admit, because I like. it. Haha - nah.
******************
Okay - so not only am I a yelper, I am a complete foodie. This place came on my radar when it was featured on dive, drive-ins and dinners with Guy F. Since, I happened to be going to Atlanta anyway, I figured I'd stop by. I am sitting here eating the oxtail brown stew over yellow rice and it is fabulous. Like perfectly spiced, I asked for salt, but haven't added a grain. Spicy and rich and filling. They have free wi-fi which is a total plus, because I need to know where I can go and buy a wig. These ain't no skimpy portions either. The menu is large and I was debating between alfredo, tater tots and other stuff.
The specials today are:
steamed green beans
creamy tomato basil soup
blacked tilapia 10.95
fried chicken wrap w/ lettuce, tomato, cheese, and ranch 8.95
herb roasted chicken 10.95
the stew I am eating in 10.95 yum
It is not exactly easy to find, It is set back away from the road in a strip of restaurants, I did some circling - thank you Garmin. I had to do a few passes to locate it.
OMG _ I am tearing this stuff up. What is this Jamaican - Caribbean? I don't know.
Service is cool, the staff has been nice.
Full bar, but not as elaborate as some other places I am used to.
Also - important to note, since I am a Cali girl - people are allowed to smoke in the bar. I am a non-smoker, so I have forgotten that people are allowed to do that in other states.
The server just walked out burgers from the back. They look okay. So you have some traditional bar fare available as well.
Okay, I have pretty much drained the bowl of sauce and rice and need to suck the bones, I'll write you all later.
I will have to hit this up before I head home. Damn. As Guy would say that's money.
I haven't frequented the place in years, but oh man did I ever used to love the Highlander. As dive bars go, it's one of the best in Atlanta. The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is the fact that back in my day, the only things you could count on were death, taxes, and the fact that your draft beer at the Highlander would be warm.
That said, the atmosphere is fun (although you'd best sit on the patio if you don't want to inhale LOADS of secondhand smoke). There's an air hockey table, and hanging out on the ample porch can be a really fun time. And I've never met a Highlander bouncer or bartender I didn't like. The staff may look tough, but they're a pretty decent bunch.
Besides its A-plus dive bar cred, the Highlander's food is surprisingly good. It's bar food, but it's damn good bar food. Where else can you order a pitcher of tater tots? Not only that, but you can order a plate of tots covered in chili, cheese and lord knows what else. I didn't order them often, but from what I remember the dinner specials were also quite good.
In summary, the only thing I can find to complain about at the Highlander (besides cigarette smoke and warm beer) is the bathrooms. They're cramped, dirty, and usually deficient in soap. Don't let this stop you from checking this place out.
Real awesome bar! Food is good, atmosphere is chill and the crack box is always there for you.
Tater tots... all the way! That's what I start with when I'm drinking. It's greasy, bad for you and oh so good! It's a plate full of tater tots, topped with chili, jack & cheddar cheese, onion and jalapenos! Yes, doesn't that sound good?! And it's only $5.50! I also love their jalapeno corn fritters. They're so good...
This is a real cool place to hang out and definitely a place to have a group dinner. If you love the smell of cigarettes and love to drink like a fish, the Highlander had a stool waiting for you.
Recipe for good times.
Combine:
1. A good, good, good, good burger at 1:00 a.m. (Did I say good?)
2. A first-time Sweetwater beer drinker.
3. Some hardcore rock at decent volume.
4. A stinky movie to trash. Hint: a sequel where a sixty-year old (still attractive) hero of our mighty, mighty 80s childhood acts.
5. Scary. zombie-esque videos on the TVs.
6. Kick-ass tater tots. Still dreaming about them.
7. The coolest restaurant manager in Atlanta (attitude+extensive tattoos).
8.Tulie.
9. Kit.
10. Adam (Lord Bacon).
11. Two bacon strips Adam ate mimicking a Greek God (yeah, like grapes).
12. The Highlander itself. Order the burger. It's good. Yeah, it is.
Yeah, good times.
I was craving a burger, but wanted something of relatively better caliber than Mc-DON'T or Puker King, something that didn't come out looking like dried leatha. Needless to say, I ordered their spicy burger cooked medium and got a dried up hockey puck. The fries were on purnt, and I hear the tater tots are the bomb like tick tick, and they're like so close I could throw a bottle of pennicilin at the stripper I saw in there, so maybe next time I will request that my burger still have a pulse and maybe I'll get a medium?
Lesson learned: Do not order sparkling water at dive bars.
I know, I know. Seems like common sense. Dirty floors and Pellegrino aren't a likely combination. Going out on a limb (and in a bit of a daze from multiple hours of not eating), I inquired if they did indeed have a bit of bubbly H2O, fulling expecting a resounding 'no.' . . and ready to move on to second tier sparkling - good ole club soda.
However, our waiter brought out a mini bottle of Pellegrino. And my oh my was it flat. Probably pulled out of the reserves and around since the 90s.
It would be wrong to fault the Highlander for my dive bar faux pas. . . I mean, seriously. What kind of fool gets sparkling water at a place known for its dive bar kitchy attitude?
So. Moving on (after I ordered a Diet Coke, that is), the Highlander is known as a late night food spot. And I couldn't have been happier to chomp on a huge helping of broccoli and mashed potatoes at an hour even when the late night Chinese place we almost went to was closed. They're also known for their burgers - and lucky for this meat loving (but not large quantity eating) girl, you can also get a mini (think Krystal sized) slider for two bucks. A nice little dose of meat.
Aside from late night eats, the Highlander is Atlanta classic enough to garner a visit from the Food Network's Dive Bars show. Worthy of a trip for a laid back beer and burger. Just not a sparkling water.
Having spent plenty of time on the night shift working at MindSpring, I had ample opportunity to go hang out at The Highlander at all hours of the night and to get a decent meal. Early on, I became a huge fan of the Jalapeño Corn Fritters with Rémoulade Sauce - think hushpuppies meet spicy sweet cornbread from your Gramma's kitchen.
I have enjoyed just about everything I have ever eaten here - the Nachos with the Jamaican Jerk Chili on them are especially delicious. I recently took my dad here (during daylight hours, of course) after he had seen the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (DDD to their friends) episode on FoodTV. He was quite distressed that I had been hiding this joint from him for 9 years. While I picked something different off the menu (for me anyway), the Cuban, he dove into a bowl of the Chili. The Cuban was quite nice (a little too much mustard for me), but the flavors were quite reminiscent with the combination of ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese and pickles. We had a great time and my dad has since returned with some of his friends.
As for other menu items, I don't like the Pasta encased Fried Cheese Sticks - the pasta gets too oddly chewy. I highly recommend that if you don't get the Nachos, that you at least cozy up to a bowl of the chili with a couple of fritters on the side - you won't be disappointed.
One of my old haunts from working the night shift in a call center, this was the place to go after… Read more »
"Oh, the Highlander is very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore this joint. They think it's a righteous place."
Whatever you're into...tattoos, piercings, S&M, death metal, Barry Manilow, Galaga, ghetto hockey or photo hunt. This place accepts them all...even Abe Froman. Just get outta the way when I ride thru the sidewalk! ;)
Can anyone get tired of this place? Grub ain't bad...but go find your own Tots! Gosh!
I've only gone to the Highlander for one reason - Big Game Hunter. It's like going to half off night every night. Instead of the typical $1 game, it's 50 cents. It allows me to go on extensive Kudu Safari's, and hunt dozens of Gemsbok and Wildebeast.
Also, the beer prices are reasonable. I've recently moved, and it's very close. So I'll be trying the food soon.
Oh the dirty, dirty Highlander.
My rule of thumb - don't eat at an establishment if there's not soap in the bathrooms. If you can't wash your hands, that means nobody else can either. Ew.
It is a guilty pleasure this place. I have an addiction to pinball and this is a great place to spend an afternoon getting replay after replay. If you don't smoke or don't like the smell of smoke I caution you against this place. From the moment you step inside you know everything you are wearing is going to smell like a bar when you leave.
Cool bartenders, Hogaarden on tap.
The jukebox can get overtaken by high school drop outs who only listen to Guns and Roses at top volume. Get your cash in while you can.
Not a place to bring your mom who's visiting for the weekend, rather a hang out for you and your friends never to be spoken about outside of the Highlander.
I have been going to the Highlander for over 10 years...yes, I'm getting old. Anyway, this place is very close to my heart. The beer is affordable and the food is freakin fantastic! Yes, the tots rock but I also crave the black forest pasta and this bar knows how to cook a steak...and pork loins! Actually, I don't think I've ever been disappointed in the food no matter what I ordered. Everything is superb!
Also contributing to my love for this place is the air hockey, pool and pinball. The fact I can bring my dog on the patio and the servers love on her and bring her water. The servers are delightfully smart assy and there is enough ink in this place to publish a newspaper. Inked up boys are kind of a weakness. You can even get take out and bring the food upstairs to the Independent because they support each other like that.
I love you Highlander! Never change and never go away!
UPDATE 9/16!! Highlander no longer allows dogs on the porch because some dork compained. They may start allowing it again in the future but for now the doggie door to the Highlander has been closed. I'm not changing my review based on this but it does make me a little sad
The food here is pretty good stuff, mostly greasy bar food, of the kind that helps slow the absorption of all the cheap beer that one has a tendency to drink here. $6 pitchers of PBR yields many a bad hangover the following day. The crowd is covered in ink and oozes attitude, and they'll eyeball you if you're clean cut and don't look like you belong, until you pull up a chair, grab a cheap beer and strike up a conversation...then you realize everyone is just here to chill and drink, and they're not judging you, they're just protecting their territory from the infectious influence of the VaHi and Midtown yuppie bullshit that surrounds this little oasis. Service is timely enough to keep your beer full, but just. And yeah, smokey as hell on the inside, but a huge patio really helps when the weather is nice. A great place to hang out before a movie.
Hands down the BEST CHEESEBURGER in the city. All of you who consistenly vote for the Vortex obviously have seared your tastebuds out of your tongue. Not that the Vortex is bad, it's just no comparison to the Highlander.
Sure, it can be a bit intimidating walking in there if you've never been... But, all in all this place is great. Play some Air Hockey, play some pool, listen to some really roudy music... Drink... A Lot!
For those of you not used to the crowed, the wait staff may make you want to speak in soft, submissive tones... But in reality, they're a great group of people!!!!
They 21 and up only, so no childrens please!
$1 Yuengling Drafts Every…
Neighborhood: Midtown
Weekly Specials
Neighborhood: Midtown
Neighborhood: Midtown
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Westside / Home Park
Category: Jazz & Blues
Neighborhood: Little Five Points
Category: Mexican
Atlanta, GA
Category: Restaurants
Atlanta, GA
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